ASSESSOR’S OFFICE



ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

The following is an overview of statistical data for the 2013 tax year as compared to the previous year:

2012 TAX YEAR 2013 TAX YEAR

Taxable Property Valuation $281,481,100 $284,713,900

Taxes Committed for Collection $5,615,551 $6,192,529

Tax Rate $19.95 $21.75

Median Sale Price of Houses $100,300 $85,000

Average Sale Price of Houses $97,000 $90,700

Tax on Average House $2,001 $1,973

Tax dollars were appropriated as follows:

Aroostook County Tax $ 297,148 $ 307,951

RSU #29 (Local Share) $2,050,839 $2,271,750

Municipal Appropriation $3,267,564 $3,612,828

Total Tax Commitment $5,615,551 $6,192,529

The real estate market in Houlton for 2013 continued to remain fairly active and the numbers of sales were comparable to the previous year as evidenced by market sales:

CLASSIFICATION OF SALES NO. OF SALES TOTAL SALES PRICE

Residential Vacant Land Sales 5 $ 72,150

Residential Developed Sales 49 $4,442,860

Commercial Vacant Land Sales 2 $ 67,000

Commercial Developed Sales 8 $1,490,208

Totals 64 $6,072,218

Houses sold ranged in selling price from $19,000 to $310,000 which is the highest sale of residential property in Houlton recorded to date.

Property is assessed based on the status of the taxpayer (eligibility for tax exemptions) as well as the location, condition and taxable status of the property as of April 1st each year in compliance with state statute. However, the tax bills in Houlton cover the time frame of the fiscal year of the town, being January 1st through December 31st.

Mobile homes are considered to be real estate for taxation purposes; therefore, an individual buying, selling or moving a mobile home is required to contact the assessor’s office to provide information for the updating of ownership records.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

The following exemptions are made available to taxpayers at the local level. Applications are located in the town office and also on the Town of Houlton website houlton- and must be filed on or before April 1st.

PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS AVAILABLE

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION – To qualify, homeowners must have owned a homestead in Maine for a minimum of 12 months prior to April 1st and declare the homestead to be their permanent place of residence. Once the application is filed, the exemption remains until the owner sells or changes their place of residence. This exemption provides up to the whole value of $10,000 of taxable valuation exemption.

VETERAN’S EXEMPTION – Any veteran, or the widow or widower of a veteran, who has reached the age of 62 and served on active duty during a federally recognized wartime period may be eligible for this exemption. Veterans under the age of 62 who served on active duty during a federally recognized wartime period must be receiving a pension or compensation from the U.S. Government for total disability. This exemption provides up to the whole value of $6,000 of taxable valuation exemption.

BLIND EXEMPTION – Individuals declared legally blind by a medical doctor or eye care professional may be eligible for this exemption which provides up to the whole value of $4,000 of taxable valuation exemption.

BUSINESS EXEMPTIONS AVAILABLE

BETE (BUSINESS EQUIPMENT TAX EXEMPTION) – Certain businesses (other than retail and service businesses) may qualify for an exemption on personal property tax for equipment first subject to taxation on or after April 1, 2008. This exemption is not an automatic exemption and must be applied for annually.

The following programs are offered at the State level through Maine Revenue Services and application forms must be filed annually. More information can be viewed online at .

MAINE RESIDENTS PROPERTY TAX OR RENT REFUND (CIRCUIT BREAKER PROGRAM) – This program has been replaced by the PROPERTY TAX FAIRNESS CREDIT and in order to obtain this tax or rent refund, the applicant must now file for this program as part of their State of Maine income tax return utilizing Schedule PTFC Form 1040ME 2013.

BETR (BUSINESS EQUIPMENT TAX REIMBURSEMENT) – Certain businesses may qualify for tax reimbursement from the State of Maine on personal property tax paid during the previous year. Taxpayers begin the application process by filing an application form with the local assessor’s office, followed by the filing of an application form with Maine Revenue Services.

The valuation book, digital photography, property tax maps, property valuation reports and real estate transfer tax forms are public records and are available for review at the town office. This office has an open door policy and welcomes citizens to call or visit the office at any time during regular office hours. Much of this information can also be viewed on the Town of Houlton website houlton-

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Lauren Asselin for being a valuable asset and to thank her for the assistance she provides in the assessing department.

Respectfully submitted,

Laureen Bither, CMA

Assessor, Town of Houlton

tax.assessor@houlton-

207-532-7111

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